Wow! 10 years after release and many years past normal expectations, this Zinfandel still has amazing dark fruits on the first sip and a smooth finish! Reminds me of the Rombauer Zinfandel’s of the 80s am 90s with great fruit forward!
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Third of three bottles and this was the best, proving that decent Zin can always stand a couple years of aging. It was spicy with some tannins, but as the evening and bottle progressed, we got a lot of depth and character (fruit, but not a bomb) that was lacking @ 3-9-17 and 8-3-16 tastings (see notes). This is definitely hitting its zenith and should be good most of the rest of the year. I just see no justification for a rating of this wine over 91 or maybe 92...look at the ratings guide, this is not Trip Advisor where friends and family give everything a 5 star.
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Second bottle. Nice Napa Zin, got the spice, got the Zin, only possible drawback was it was just a very, very, very bit thin. That said, went with grilled sirloin, et al quite well. Drink Now.
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Ultra-ripe and syrupy. Coincidentally, shortly after drinking this wine I had a dessert course of mixed berry pie with vanilla ice cream, which had core flavors that were almost identical to the wine. I am confused as to why some folks recommend pairing this wine with savory food like BBQ since most people don't eat pie and ice cream alongside their pulled pork. At the same time, because food and wine taste is entirely subjective, I suppose it is a moot point.
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Not much to add to all the previous positive comments. It does seem to lack the Zinfandel "spice" that we have tasted in prior vintages; maybe with short-term aging it will reveal itself and that would merit at least another point.
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Wow, just wow. Fruity, a little but of campfire, just wonderful. This is what I love about good zin: great on its own; great with food, especially this one.
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Short decant. Previous review by "bjamesclark" From October 2015 is perfect. Easy drinker. Slightly out of balance with jammy approach and oaky vanilla finish. Pair with burgers off the grill or pizza. Fun to drink although it's 87-89 range if scoring objectively.
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Although very extracted and overly jammy for me, it is very true to the varietal, with tons of ripe black raspberry and cassis flavors that have a briar and smoky note. Good length and density.
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Showing a jammy nose that carries a little heat along with over-ripe fruits of cherry, strawberry raspberry and red plum all coated thickly in vanilla and oak with hints of flowers and spice.
Definitely built for the American palate. Rich and jammy showcasing the fruit, residual sugar and high alcohol. Sweet strawberry, cherry pie filling, Chambord, vanilla, oak and brown sugar dominate. Secondary flavors of fresh roses and spice are overshadowed by the alcohol and sweetness. The smooth finish lingers.
Overall though this appeals to many palates one cannot argue the balance issues.
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Liqueur like nose of overripe cherry, prune, and vanilla. Warm and ripe, with good focus to the port-like fruit. Showing a hint of residual sugar. A bit too boozy, and not my style of Zinfandel, but if you poured this with a rich chocolate dessert, you'd have a nice pairing.
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10/7/2023 - Spth115 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow!
10 years after release and many years past normal expectations, this Zinfandel still has amazing dark fruits on the first sip and a smooth finish!
Reminds me of the Rombauer Zinfandel’s of the 80s am 90s with great fruit forward!
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3/30/2023 - Gerard Ruiz wrote: 93 Points
Love it. Perfectly stored since release. Very Jammy. Tasted like boysenberry jam. Great color, no sign of decline……..
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10/27/2020 - Bama14 Likes this wine: 75 Points
Cherries, leather. Taste great
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12/20/2019 - rhg wrote: flawed
Improperly stored for 5+ years.
Smell:
Vanilla
Taste:
Tastes like a port now :/
Much too sweet. Cooked. Very nutty, caramel.
Appearance:
Brown tint to it, especially visible around the edges when tilting the glass.
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5/26/2019 - RoccoSydney wrote: 70 Points
Too sweet. Almost a Port but not as nice. Wouldn't ever get again
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3/15/2018 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine: 90 Points
Third of three bottles and this was the best, proving that decent Zin can always stand a couple years of aging. It was spicy with some tannins, but as the evening and bottle progressed, we got a lot of depth and character (fruit, but not a bomb) that was lacking @ 3-9-17 and 8-3-16 tastings (see notes). This is definitely hitting its zenith and should be good most of the rest of the year. I just see no justification for a rating of this wine over 91 or maybe 92...look at the ratings guide, this is not Trip Advisor where friends and family give everything a 5 star.
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6/27/2017 - Murray3950 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderful color and great bold taste!!
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4/23/2017 - rsed Likes this wine: 88 Points
good, but I like the 2014 a little better
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4/13/2017 - JSolo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very jammy. Excellent for after dinner.
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3/9/2017 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine: 89 Points
Second bottle. Nice Napa Zin, got the spice, got the Zin, only possible drawback was it was just a very, very, very bit thin.
That said, went with grilled sirloin, et al quite well.
Drink Now.
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1/2/2017 - Tobinski Does not like this wine:
Ultra-ripe and syrupy. Coincidentally, shortly after drinking this wine I had a dessert course of mixed berry pie with vanilla ice cream, which had core flavors that were almost identical to the wine. I am confused as to why some folks recommend pairing this wine with savory food like BBQ since most people don't eat pie and ice cream alongside their pulled pork. At the same time, because food and wine taste is entirely subjective, I suppose it is a moot point.
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12/25/2016 - Jonny O Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is what I like. Brown sugar, spice, high vanilla note on the nose.
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12/11/2016 - DaveNC Likes this wine: 90 Points
Super easy to drink, velvety. Fruit forward.
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11/12/2016 - DaveNC Likes this wine: 90 Points
We really like this wine. Smooth and easy to drink.
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9/9/2016 - RLVas wrote: 86 Points
Sweet, syrupy, eventually jammy. Good for 1 glass as dessert, not beyond that for me.
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8/3/2016 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not much to add to all the previous positive comments. It does seem to lack the Zinfandel "spice" that we have tasted in prior vintages; maybe with short-term aging it will reveal itself and that would merit at least another point.
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7/24/2016 - LizzyGil Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow, just wow. Fruity, a little but of campfire, just wonderful. This is what I love about good zin: great on its own; great with food, especially this one.
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7/4/2016 - as4beatles Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is the second bottle of this vintage that we opened and it's still a fantastic wine. Great flavor, great color, great aroma.
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6/30/2016 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 90 Points
Typical Rombauer Zin - lush fruit (black primarily, with some blue), touch jammy and a touch simple. But went well with BBQ.
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5/21/2016 - mfrome wrote: 87 Points
Overripe and pruney
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5/1/2016 - as4beatles Likes this wine: 96 Points
A rich colored, big flavor and a touch of sweetness made this bottle one of the best Zinfandel's we ever had.
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4/18/2016 - RobbieC wrote:
Short decant. Previous review by "bjamesclark" From October 2015 is perfect. Easy drinker. Slightly out of balance with jammy approach and oaky vanilla finish. Pair with burgers off the grill or pizza. Fun to drink although it's 87-89 range if scoring objectively.
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4/5/2016 - Justchrisb23 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great zin for the price... Always can count on it!!
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2/7/2016 - SumCellar wrote: 88 Points
The fruity sweetness dominates this zin. While it will appeal to many, I believe that it lacks subtly and spice.
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10/30/2015 - Al Doughty wrote: 89 Points
Although very extracted and overly jammy for me, it is very true to the varietal, with tons of ripe black raspberry and cassis flavors that have a briar and smoky note. Good length and density.
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10/25/2015 - bjamesclark wrote: 87 Points
Showing a jammy nose that carries a little heat along with over-ripe fruits of cherry, strawberry raspberry and red plum all coated thickly in vanilla and oak with hints of flowers and spice.
Definitely built for the American palate. Rich and jammy showcasing the fruit, residual sugar and high alcohol. Sweet strawberry, cherry pie filling, Chambord, vanilla, oak and brown sugar dominate. Secondary flavors of fresh roses and spice are overshadowed by the alcohol and sweetness. The smooth finish lingers.
Overall though this appeals to many palates one cannot argue the balance issues.
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9/28/2015 - 82Latour wrote: 86 Points
Week in wine country; 9/26/2015-10/3/2015 (Napa Valley): Dark red; hot and sweet; high sugar, brown sugar, maple on the nose; vanilla adds in on the palate; shorter finish. not my style.
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7/12/2015 - Jwmumm Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is one of our favorite zins. We love the bold fruity sweetness of this wine. Great value for the money. Highly recommend.
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7/4/2015 - nectar14 wrote:
Liqueur like nose of overripe cherry, prune, and vanilla. Warm and ripe, with good focus to the port-like fruit. Showing a hint of residual sugar. A bit too boozy, and not my style of Zinfandel, but if you poured this with a rich chocolate dessert, you'd have a nice pairing.
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6/7/2015 - PinotPaul Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice but very jammy. Best to pair with BBQ dishes that have some sweetness to them or just enjoy after dinner.
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5/31/2015 - PinotPaul wrote: 88 Points
Okay but a bit too jammy for my taste.
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5/18/2015 - neurovino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big and juicy on Day 1, but lost some structure on day two and the oak came on a little strong. Became very sweet and goopy. Scored based on day 1.
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